Hamas split over truce with Israel
Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal says group is scrapping truce with Israel; Gaza spokesman denies comments
Speaking at a rally in the Syria capital earlier Friday Mashaal said: “There is no room for truce. I say to our brothers in the (Palestinian) Authority that we are witnessing political stagnation. I say it loudly, we will not enter a new truce and our people are preparing for a new round of conflict."
Mashaal’s comments echoed a similar position taken on Thursday by the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the military wing of the ruling party Fatah, following the assassination of three of its members in the Gaza Strip in an Israeli air strike.
In a statement issued soon after the strike the al-Aqsa Brigades vowed to break off from its commitment to a truce with Israel, saying a response to Israel’s assassinations is on the way.
Shortly after the publication of Mashaal’s comments by Reuters early Friday evening, Mushir al-Masri, a spokesman for Hamas in Gaza, reiterated the Islamic group’s commitment to abide by a nine-month-long truce, which ends in January.
“Hamas confirms that calm is still on, as of this moment, and this is a national consensus," said Mushir al-Masri, spokesman for Hamas in Gaza. "This is the official and final Hamas decision and position."
The truce was agreed in February by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as part of efforts to stem fighting that erupted in 2000 and smooth Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
But another spokesman for Hamas in Gaza said a decision was pending on renewing the truce, which has allowed the Islamic group to turn to political activism ahead of a Palestinian parliamentary election in January.
“Pressure should be made on the (Israeli) occupation to compel them to answer these conditions before there are any new talks about extending the calm," spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said referring to Palestinian demands that Israel suspend military operations and release security prisoners.
Israel never had illusions about Hamas’ violent ideology
Israeli officials in Jerusalem reacted to Mashaal's comments saying the Jewish State “has never had illusions” about the enemy sworn to its destruction.
“That’s a terror group that depends on violence for its existence. It is a group that dismisses all diplomatic talks and is sworn to the destruction of Israel. We hope Mashaal’s comments will alert certain people, especially in Europe, to the true nature of the group,” the officials added.
Reuters and Roee Nahmias contributed to this report
